Fog Preventing Barrier for a Mask and Method

ABSTRACT

A fog preventing barrier for a respiratory mask is disclosed. The barrier has a flexible elongated infill layer and a mask hanger. The mask hanger is connected to the infill layer to removably connect the infill layer to a mask where the infill layer closes a mask-to-face gap at a top of the mask when worn by a wearer. The barrier may have an adhesive layer attached to the infill layer instead of or in addition to a mask hanger for removably attaching the infill layer across a wearer&#39;s nose. The barrier may have a conforming strip connected to the infill layer and bendable to conform to a conforming shape about a nose and cheeks of a wearer to hold the infill layer in the conforming shape.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to a fog preventing barrier for a mask and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Persons prefer, need to, or are required to wear face masks to cover the wearer's nose and mouth in many situations to filter air inhaled and/or exhaled by the wearer. The present inventors recognized that many mask designs allow significant flow of warm and humid exhaled air to travel up over the nose and cheekbones. If the wearer wears eyewear, then when this air strikes the inside of the lens(es) of the eyewear, condensation can occur, obscuring vision, in some cases continuously while the mask is worn.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,156 discloses a nose clip that includes a band of metal that can be provided on a top of the mask body to allow it to be shaped to hold the face mask over the nose of the wearer. However, the present inventors recognized that even if a metal band is provided, significant air escape and fogging can still occur with prior art masks in many cases.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,140 discloses a mask for the protection of an operating surgeon, which has an upper edge with an adhesive layer that can be pressed onto the skin of the face to obtain a seal against the facial skin. However, the present inventors recognized that many masks do not comprise an adhesive layer.

The present inventors recognized that for a variety of reasons during the Covid-19 pandemic, when mask wear is common within the population, wearers favor a variety of mask designs that do not eliminate escape of exhaled air over the nose and cheekbones and therefore are prone to the production of eyewear fogging. Reasons for these mask preferences include comfort, fit, style, availability, material, specific requirements at various places of employment for either branded masks or specifically mandated mask designs, and others.

The present inventors recognized the unmet need for a barrier that could be used in conjunction with a wide range of mask designs to eliminate eyewear from fogging. The present inventors recognized the need for a fog preventing barrier that could be removably and selectively used with different masks by a wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fog preventing barrier for a mask is disclosed. The barrier has a flexible elongated infill layer and a mask hanger. The flexible elongated infill layer has a length that is greater than its height. The mask hanger is connected to the infill layer to removably connect the infill layer to a mask where the infill layer closes a mask-to-face gap at a top of the mask when worn by a wearer.

In some embodiments, the fog preventing barrier for a mask, has a flexible elongated infill layer and an adhesive layer. The flexible elongated infill layer closes a mask-to-face gap at a top of the mask when worn by a wearer. The adhesive layer is attached to a back side of the infill layer for removably attaching the infill layer across a wearer's nose and cheeks.

A method to prevent fog on the eyewear of a mask wearer is disclosed. A flexible elongated infill layer is removably connected at or adjacent a top edge of a respiratory mask to close a mask-to-face gap at the top of the mask when worn by a wearer.

Another method to prevent fog on the eyewear of a respiratory mask wearer is disclosed. A flexible elongated infill layer is removably connected to a wearer's face across a wearer's nose. A respiratory mask is placed on the wearer's face so that the infill layer closes a mask-to-face gap at the top of the mask when worn by a wearer.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment fog preventing barrier for a mask of the invention deployed on a human wearer with a mask.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 1 deployed on a wearer.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 1 deployed on a wearer with a mask.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the barrier of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment fog preventing barrier for a mask of the invention deployed on a wearer.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 5 deployed on a wearer with a mask.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 5 deployed on a wearer with a mask.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a third embodiment fog preventing barrier for a mask of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 9 deployed on a mask.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the barrier of FIG. 9 deployed on a wearer with a mask.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For the purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a plural understanding of the present invention. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this description describes and the drawings show specific embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

FIGS. 1 to 3 shows a fog preventing barrier 10 for a respiratory mask deployed on a human wearer's 12 face 13. The barrier 10 is deployed along the superior or upper edge 14 of a respiratory mask 16 at the mask-face interface 18 to close the mask-to-face gap there at.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the barrier 10 comprises an infill layer 20 and an adhesive layer 22 attached to the back side 24 of the infill layer 20. In some embodiments, the infill layer comprises cloth, textile, cotton batting, foam, wool, felt, or a combination of one or more thereof. In some embodiments, the infill layer comprises a soft or porous material. In some embodiments, the infill layer is soft and compressible. A compressible infill layer can fill and conform to the mask and the wearer's face and surface contours thereof. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer comprises acrylate and/or rubber-based adhesive, paper or other types of tape, tacky material, or a combination of one or more thereof. The adhesive is non-permanently adhering to and removable from human skin. Therefore, the adhesive removably connects the barrier to the wearer's face.

The barrier, including the infill layer and the adhesive layer, is flexible so that the barrier can be manipulated from a flat configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, to a curved configuration that conforms to the contours of the wearer's face at the locations of placement on the wearer's face, such as across the wearer's nose and wearer's cheeks, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

In operation, the barrier can be placed on the wearer's face, and more particularly on the wearer's nose and cheeks at the location on the wearer's face where the upper edge 14 of the mask 16 will be located. The adhesive will hold the barrier in the placed position on the wearer's face. After the barrier is placed on the wearer's face, the wearer can place a mask to over a portion of the wearer's face, such as to cover at least the wearer's mouth and nose, and the infill layer closes the face-to-mask gap at the mask-face interface 18. The mask usually covers the wearer's mouth and nose, at least the end of the wearer's nose comprising the nostrils. Masks typically filter, at least partially, air inhaled and/or exhaled by the wearer.

Masks typically extends across and covers the end of the wearer's nose and the top of the mask terminates below the wearer's eyes.

In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 22 is provided on the front side 25 of the infill layer, instead of, or in addition to, the adhesive layer on the back side 24. When the adhesive layer 22 is provided on the front side 25 of the infill layer, the adhesive layer is capable of removably joining the infill layer to an inside of the mask along the top edge 20. Therefore, depending on the embodiment, the barrier can be removably attached to the inside of the mask or the wearer's face at or adjacent the top edge 20 of the mask.

When the wearer wears eyewear, the barrier 10 will block exhaled breath of the wearer from reaching the wearers eyewear above the mask and fogging, condensing, and/or depositing liquid or debris thereon. During respiration, exhaled air can be warmer and comprising more moisture or humidity than the surrounding ambient air. Warm air rises. So exhaled respiration of the human wearer can rise toward the wearer's eyes. If the mask does not tightly seal to the wearer's face along the top of the mask, exhaled air escapes between the wearer's face and the upper end of the mask. Without a barrier, the exhaled air escaping the wearer's mask can fog the wearer's eyewear, that is cause condensation on the lens(es) of the eyewear, obscuring the wearer's view through the lenses of the eyewear. The fogging of the lens(es) can occur because the exhaled breath is warmer than the surface(s) of the lens(es) and/or comprises higher humidity or water vapor. The warmer and/or higher humidity exhaled breath causes condensation to form on the lens(es) in the form of small water drops of liquid forming a film on the lens(es), when the exhaled breath reaches the lens(es). When the water vapor in the exhaled breath contacts the lens it cools, given the lower temperature of the lens(es) of the eyewear, causing a phase change of the water vapor to liquid on the lens surface. The lens(es) of the eyewear are close to the top of the patient's mask and therefore the source of the escaping exhaled breath. Embodiments of the barrier can be used with a wide variety of eyewear, including but not limited to eye glasses, spectacles, goggles, safety glasses, eye shields, and other eyewear.

The barrier fills the gap(s) that would otherwise exist between the top or top edge 14 of the mask and the wearer's face at the mask-face interface. When the gap(s) are closed, exhaled breath is blocked or substantially blocked from traveling upward toward the wearer's eyes. Instead the exhaled breath is forced out through the front of the mask and/or further laterally beyond the terminal ends 26, 28 of the barrier 10. In some embodiments, substantially all of the exhaled breath is blocked by the barrier and some exhaled breath of the wearer may pass upward through or around the barrier, yet the passing exhaled breath is in a quantity and/or at a rate of passage and/or comprises vapor content and/or is at a temperature that is below the threshold where fogging occurs on the eyewear at least by the time the passing exhaled breath reaches, if it does at all, the eyewear, such that no fogging of the eyewear occurs during use of the barrier.

In some embodiments, the infill layer comprises a length from end 26 to end 28 in the range of 6 centimeters (cm) to 16 cm, inclusive. In some embodiments, the infill layer comprises a width from top 30 to bottom 32 in the range of 0.5 cm to 3 cm, inclusive. In some embodiments, the infill layer comprises a thickness from the front side 25 to a back side 24 in the range of 0.1 cm to 1.5 cm, inclusive.

In some embodiments, the adhesive layer comprises the same length and/or the same height as the infill layer. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer is smaller or larger in height and/or width than the infill layer. In some embodiments, the barrier has a width that is sized so that a portion of the barrier is located under each of the lateral corners 34, 36 of the wearer's eyes 38, 40, as shown in FIG. 2.

The barrier 10 can be positioned on the wearer's face to align with the top of the wearer's selected mask 16. In some applications, the barrier is positioned to cross the wearer's nose 46 at a location between the tip 42 of the wearer's nose and the nasion 44 or, in some cases, the nasal bridge of the wearer. In some applications, the barrier is positioned to cross the wearer's nose at a location below the eyes and above the tip of the wearer's nose.

FIG. 3 shows that the barrier 10 blocks a mask-to-face gap(s) between the wearer's face at the mask-face interface 18. In some uses, the barrier may be partially located above the top edge 14 of the mask 16 as shown in FIG. 1. In other uses, the barrier is aligned with the top edge 14 of the mask. In other uses, the barrier is located below but adjacent to the top edge 14 of the mask. Therefore, the barrier may or may not be visible from a front view of the wearer's face when worn by a wearer.

While the barrier may be used with a variety of different masks, the mask 16 shown comprises ear loop straps 17 (left side not shown). The mask is secured to and across the wearer's face by looping the straps over each of the wearer's ears. The mask covers the wearer's mouth and nose. The straps may be elastic or otherwise stretchable. Some masks have one or more straps connecting one side of the mask to the other for extend around the back of the wearer's head and/or neck instead of ear loop straps.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show a second embodiment fog preventing barrier 50 for a mask. The barrier comprises the infill layer 20 of the barrier 10, however, instead of the adhesive layer or in addition to the adhesive layer 22, the barrier 50 comprises a plurality of hangers 52, 54 connected to and supporting the infill layer 20. In some embodiments, each of the hangers 52, 54 are the same. In some embodiments, the hanger comprises a hook, a clip, a spring clip, a clasp, a gripper, or other means of mechanical connection with a mask.

Each hanger 52, 54 has a terminal section, a top or arched section 58, and a joining section 60. The terminal section connects to the top or arched section 58. The arch section connects to the joining section 60. The joining section connects to the infill layer 20. The terminal section and the joining section are spaced apart to receive a mask between. The top section 58 provides a stop for engaging the top edge 14 of the mask.

In some embodiments, the terminal section is moveable or bendable relative to the joining section to change the size (enlarge or reduce) of the opening there between. This allows the opening of the hangers to be sized to fit or grip the upper edge of a mask and to be adjusted based on the mask used. In some applications, the terminal section can be bent toward the mask to better grip the mask at the top edge of the mask.

In some embodiments, the infill layer 20, comprises two or more layers 62, 64. In some embodiments the two layers 62, 64 are formed by folding a piece(s) of material along an upper edge 66.

In some embodiments, the hangers are fixed to the back side 24 of the infill layer 20, such as by adhesive, stitching, sewing, or other fixing means. In some embodiments, the infill layer comprises apertures (not shown) at or adjacent the upper edge 66, and the joining section 60 extends between the two layers 62, 64 and is fixed to one or both of the layers 62, 64 by adhesive, stitching, sewing, or other fixing means. In some embodiments the hangers are fixed to the front side 25 of the infill layer, such as by adhesive, stitching, sewing, or other fixing means.

FIG. 7 shows that the hangers secure and pull the top edge 14 of the mask against the infill layer 20. Therefore, the hangers provide increased connection security between the barrier and the mask to reduce the chance of escape of exhaled breath between the barrier 50 and the mask towards the eyes and eyewear at the mask face interface 18. In some embodiments, only one hanger rather than a plurality of hangers is used.

The barrier 50 fills the gap(s) that would otherwise exist between the top or top edge 14 of the mask and the wearer's face at the mask-face interface. When the gap(s) are closed, exhaled breath is blocked or substantially blocked from traveling upward toward the wearer's eyes and eyewear. Instead the exhaled breath is forced out through the front of the mask and/or further laterally beyond the terminal ends 26, 28 of the barrier 50. In some embodiments, substantially all of the exhaled breath is blocked by the barrier and some exhaled breath of the wearer may pass upward through or around the barrier, yet the passing exhaled breath is in a quantity and/or at a rate of passage and/or comprises vapor content and/or is at a temperature that is below the threshold where fogging occurs on the eyewear at least by the time the passing exhaled breath reaches, if it does at all, the eyewear, such that no fogging of the eyewear occurs during use of the barrier.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show a third embodiment fog preventing barrier 70 for a mask. FIG. 10 shows an exploded view of the barrier 70. The barrier 70 comprises the infill layer 20 of barrier 10 or 50 and the hangers 52, 54 of barrier 50. In some embodiments, the joining portion 60 of the hangers 52, 54 are fixed to a conforming strip 72. In some embodiments, the hangers and conforming strip are fixed to a substrate 74.

The substrate 74 is flexible or semi-flexible so as to at least be capable of being bent. The conforming strip 72 is bendable and capable of retaining a bent shape until a pre-defined amount of force is applied, usually by a wearer's hand. The conforming strip can be bent by a wearer's hand(s) to form the desired shape of the strip and infill layer. The wearer can press the infill layer against the wearer's nose and cheeks to form the strip and the infill layer to form the shape of those portions of the wearer's face. The strip will retain the formed shape. Therefore, the conforming strip causes the infill layer to conform to and from the shape of the contours of the wearer's face, including across the wearers nose and cheek portions where the infill layer is to be placed. The conforming strip extends transverse to the hangers.

In some embodiments, the substrate and the conforming strip are fixed to the front side 25 of the infill layer 20 opposite the back side 24, which may or may not include the adhesive layer 22. The substrate and the conforming strip may be fixed to the infill layer 20 by an adhesive.

The conforming strip can be shaped to conform to the shape of the wearer's nose. Further the conforming strip can be shaped to conform to the shape of the wearer's nose and cheeks to better fit the wearer and to increase the blocking effect of the barrier by holding the infill layer to the wearer's nose and cheeks, in conformity or close conformity to the shape of the wearer's nose and cheeks. Therefore, the infill layer 20 and the mask, held via the hangers, will conform or be in close conformity to the contours of the wearer's face at the face-mask interface 18 and thereby close the mask-to-face gap(s) and block the wearer's exhaled breath from escaping between the top of the mask and the wearer's face and fogging eyewear or causing the wearer discomfort. Each of the embodiments of the barrier 10, 50, 70 close the mask-to-face gap(s) and block the wearer's exhaled breath from escaping between the top of the mask and the wearer's face and fogging the wearer's eyewear or causing the wearer discomfort.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. For example, one or more component embodiments may be combined, modified, removed, or supplemented to form further embodiments within the scope of the invention. Further, steps could be added or removed from the processes described. Therefore, other embodiments and implementations are within the scope of the invention. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fog preventing barrier for a respiratory mask, comprising: a flexible elongated infill layer; and, a mask hanger connected to the infill layer to removably connect the infill layer to a respiratory mask where the infill layer closes a mask-to-face gap at a top of the mask when worn by a wearer.
 2. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the mask hanger comprises a plurality of mask hangers fixed to the infill layer.
 3. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the mask hanger is fixed to the infill layer by an adhesive.
 4. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the mask hanger extends above a top edge of the infill layer.
 5. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the mask hanger is a hook comprising a movable terminal end and a mask receiving opening, the terminal end is moveable to change a size of the opening.
 6. The barrier of claim 1, comprising a conforming strip connected to the hanger and the infill layer.
 7. The barrier of claim 6, wherein the conforming strip extends along at least a portion of the length of the infill layer.
 8. The barrier of claim 6, wherein the conforming strip is bendable and is shape retaining.
 9. The barrier of claim 7, wherein the conforming strip is bendable to conform to a conforming shape about a nose and cheeks of a wearer, the conforming strip is shape-retaining to hold the infill layer in the conforming shape.
 10. The barrier of claim 1, wherein the infill layer comprises material selected from the group consisting of: cloth, textile, cotton batting, foam, wool, and felt.
 11. A fog preventing barrier for a respiratory mask, comprising: a flexible elongated infill layer, where the infill layer comprises a length and a height, the length is greater than the height, for closing a mask-to-face gap at a top of the mask when worn by a wearer; and, an adhesive layer attached to a back side of the infill layer for removably attaching the infill layer across a wearer's nose.
 12. The barrier of claim 11, wherein the infill layer comprises material selected from the group consisting of: cloth, textile, cotton batting, foam, wool, and felt.
 13. The barrier of claim 11, wherein the adhesive layer comprises an acrylate or a rubber based adhesive.
 14. A method to prevent fog on the eyewear of a respiratory mask wearer, comprising the steps of: removably connecting a flexible elongated infill layer at or adjacent a top edge of a respiratory mask to close a mask-to-face gap at the top of the mask when worn by a wearer.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removably connecting is further defined in that the infill layer is removably connected to the top edge of the mask with a hanger.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removably connecting is further defined in that the infill layer is removably connected to the top edge of the mask with a plurality of hangers.
 17. The method of claim 14, comprising the step of shaping the contour of the infill layer to conform to the shape of a wearer's nose by pressing the infill layer down on the wearer's nose and cheeks, wherein the infill layer is connected to a conforming strip.
 18. A method to prevent fog on the eyewear of a respiratory mask wearer, comprising the steps of: removably connecting a flexible elongated infill layer to a wearer's face across a wearer's nose; and, placing a respiratory mask on the wearer's face so that the infill layer closes a mask-to-face gap at the top of the mask when worn by a wearer. 